The Starbucks Coffee at the Lisbon Airport not only gave us an opportunity to recharge with our favorite tea drinks but also break down a 50€ bill to ensure we’d have a better selection of cash on hand to pay for the taxi to our city apartment. While both buses and metro subways make frequent trips downtown, Rick Steves suggests Lisbon cab rates are cheap and honest, making taxis a convenient way to commute, especially from the airport.
Eilidh again was as excited as me for the Starbucks green tea.
We waited in the taxi queue until it was our turn; four taxis were loaded at a time. As a group of six, we were assigned a van, but some modifications were needed to so both ourselves and our luggage would fit. Back row seating was put into place for Noah and Emmie; luggage occupied the front passenger seat; and Amanda, Cassy, Eilidh, and I crammed into the middle row.
The taxi driver was aggressive at times, passive at others, and at least twice on the 20-minute drive to town, it felt like we were going to crash. Portugal is statistically the most dangerous country for driving in Europe, and tourists are advised against driving in Lisbon. The taxi was a smart choice for our luggage, but we were happy to make it down the one-way street to our apartment and be finished with the ride.
The exterior of our Lisbon apartment.
Elsa, the property owner, was on-site ready for our arrival. She helped take our luggage up to the first-floor apartment. (In Europe, the first floor is the equivalent of the second floor in the states.) After a quick walkthrough of the space, Elsa provided a wonderful orientation to the neighborhood, giving tips on everything from places to eat to directions to the nearest grocery store.
Elsa received two boxes of Eilidh’s Nourish food, collected them, and brought them to the apartment for our arrival. They’re organized in a cool cork centerpiece.
We decided we’d put her restaurant advice to the test and make the short walk down the street to A Graça Cozinha Portuguesa. The first person we spoke to knew no English, but another waitress was able to help translate the menu and answer questions so we could place our order. Cassy had a hamburger; I went with the fried rabbit; Amanda chose a pork dish; the kids shared a ham and cheese omelet.
The McMillin girls on our way to dinner at A Graça.
In Portugal, appetizers are brought to the table by wait staff, and a bill is assessed if they’re eaten; the cost is nominal, but it’s nonetheless an adjustment from the norms we are used to elsewhere. Everyone liked the bread enough to order a second basket; Emmie loved the olives, removing the pit and eating nearly all of them by herself.
Emmie finished the last olives!
Our entrees were top-notch; Cassy devoured the hamburger and gave it high marks. Noah loved the omelet he shared with Emmie, requesting a full one the next time we went to the restaurant. I though the rabbit was great, and even though Amanda’s dish wasn’t exactly what she expected, she was still a big fan.
My rabbit dish was topped with some excellent clams.
Noah gave our restaurant two thumbs up!
We made the uphill walk back to our apartment before winding down for the night, in anticipation of a relatively early start to our first full day in Lisbon.
The view from our apartment window:
I don’t know if my mom ever fed you any fried rabbit but it’s very possible she did.
You have the cutest kids!!! Also had NO idea that Portugal was the most dangerous country for driving in Europe – interesting!
Cant’ wait to read about your trip this summer 🙂